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Stereo Service



> From: ScottB2460@aol.com
> Date: Sat, 4 Nov 1995 21:14:24 -0500
> Subject: Stereo Service
> 
> My 89 200TQ has the Bose system.  I have no idea if its ever been serviced
> like one does on their VCR, however I feel the clarity for my cassette's are
> not as good as they should be, and sometimes when I put a tape in the Bose
> plays the tape at a really fast speed.  I always eject the tape and put it
> back in, which then plays it at normal speed.  

Mine does this sometimes, too.

> I went to Radio Shack and purchased the typical cassette cleaner (tape and
> liquid drops one put on the cotton tape heads).  It did make them black, so I
> assume it cleaned the heads.  Still, I can not tell the difference and the
> "speed" situation still occurs..  Should the cassette be demagnitized or
> something else?  There are a new electronic places in town that specialize in
> car stereo servicing, I was thinking about taking it there for a free
> inspection.  All I know is I have had my VCR serviced about once a year when
> it starts eating tapes, playing the tapes at a fast/slow speed, and it seems
> my Bose needs the same service.   Appreciate any info.

The discoloration indicates that you were (past) due for a cleaning, 
and the more moving parts that cleaning unit touched, the better.  
Oxide can deposit on any part it touches in the tape poath.  You can 
also demag the heads by purchasing a unit built just like a cassette 
(about $20) at most stereo stores and inserting it, then using it 
according to directions.  If your problem is residual magnetism on 
the heads, this should solve it.

NOTE: ***IMPORTANT***  if you use one of the demagnetizers I ahve 
described which look just like a cassette except with electronics 
inside, make *SURE* to turn the playback volume down to zero before 
you insert the cassette!!  When it engages its demag circuit, it will 
cause a loud electronic "thump" which will be heard thru the 
speakers.  If the volume is turned up, this is loud enough that it 
can damage the speakers!  You don't want this to happen.

Part deux:

If you're a heavy user of cassettes, you might want to pull the deck 
and have the total tape path cleaned and demag'd.  This can only be 
done out of the car, as there are some parts you just can't reach in 
place.  This is a pain, and costs $$, so it's your call.  It is 
appropriate when you have heavy build-up of gunk due to heavy use.  
Sounds like you might be enough of a tape user to consider this.